It’s time for Wimbledon 2016, as we take a look at the men’s players who are in and out of form for the legendary grass court grand slam.
Wimbledon 2016 Men’s Stock Watch
Hot
5: Nicolas Mahut
Mahut has compiled a 14-2 record on grass over the last two seasons with a pair of ATP titles, the veteran French serve and volleyer is playing better at 34 than he did last yer at 33. David Ferrer and Philipp Kohlschreiber are the seeds in his section, but he could pull off a pair of upsets with throwback tennis and find his way into the second week where Novak Djokovic likely awaits.
4: Alexander Zverev
Zverev has a pair of tough early matches with Paul-Henri Mathieu and Mikhail Youzhny, but Tomas Berdych will be his toughest test in the third round. The 19 year old German was a finalist in Halle and demonstrated his ability to play all-court tennis on grass, as he defeated Roger Federer in the semifinals. This could be a breakthrough tournament for Zverev.
3: Steve Johnson
Johnson just won Nottingham for his first ever ATP title, he’s a solid grass court player, and his game is built around his powerful forehand. Gael Monfils is in poor shape, and neither Gilles Simon nor Grigor Dimitrov have been playing well, giving Johnson a great chance to reach the second week and perhaps be the last American left in London.
2: Marcos Baghdatis
Baghdatis opens with top American John Isner, and the veteran will have to win that to make his mark, but should he prevail, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is in danger of being upset in round 3. The 31 year old has always been a solid grass court player with his attacking game, and this tournament could signal his return to top tier ATP tennis.
1: Dominic Thiem
Thiem caught fire this grass court season and he took home the title in Stuttgart. I have Thiem reaching the semifinals, although he’ll need to defeat a player who beat him on grass, Florian Mayer, to get past the opening round. Zverev or Berdych are also in his way, as is Stan Wawrinka or perhaps Juan Martin Del Potro. Thiem has been playing like a top 5 player this year, and he is due for an incredible showing.
Cold
5: Tomas Berdych
Berdych probably gets through the first two rounds, but the Czech has clearly had a disappointing season, and he’s playing below the tennis he’s capable of. I don’t expect Berdych to make that much noise this tournament, as his poor season should continue.
4: Kevin Anderson
Anderson hasn’t been healthy and in-form all season, although he’s a solid grass court player and his powerful serve centric game is well suited for the surface, his poor play all season means he’s likely to make a meek exit from the tournament.
3: David Ferrer
Ferrer is just 1-3 on grass over the past two seasons and he’s been in poor form all season by his usual standards. the Spaniard is 34 and age looks to be getting the best of him as he’s fallen from the top 10, and now sits at #14 in the world. In previous years he’d be a favorite to go as far the semifinals, but this year Ferrer could be gone before the second week.
2: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils
Tsonga was injured in Paris and although he’s usually a solid grass court player, he’s another at risk of exiting before the second week. The French contingent as a whole, besides Gasquet, looks set to struggle, as Monfils has also been unable to stay healthy, and his exciting tennis isn’t likely to last long.
1: Stan Wawrinka and Roger Federer
Wawrinka lost his only warm up match, and Juan Martin Del Potro looms large in round 2, Stan could still go far, but both Wawrinka and his countryman Roger Federer look set to disappoint by their usual standards this Wimbledon. Things just don’t seem to be clicking for either player.
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